Heimatmuseum Sternberg

About the museum

The Heimatmuseum (local history museum) stands on a site of great historical importance for Sternberg and Mecklenburg. From 1310 to 1329 the castle of Prince Heinrich II, known as "the Lion" (der Löwe), stood here, and from 1500 until the Reformation in 1549 an Augustinian monastery. After the last town fire of 1741, a half-timbered house was built on the ruins and completed in 1747; it is considered the town's oldest burgher's house. At times up to six families lived here, until 1977, when the then local history room moved in and the building was renamed "Heimatmuseum Sternberg".

After extensive renovations inside and out, the house has shown a new permanent exhibition since 2024. Across eleven rooms with eleven themes, it covers a geological feature of the region, the Sternberger Kuchen; town history through selected exhibits; a look behind the scenes of the Landtage that met in Sternberg; the small-town life of the farmer-burghers; and well-known personalities connected with the town.

In the museum courtyard, an annex extends the house. It is used year-round for special exhibitions, smaller events, extracurricular lessons, and workshops; in summer, a small stage hosts concerts and theater, and the garden is a place to relax.

Highlights

• Oldest burgher's house in town, built 1741–1747, as the largest exhibit
• Sternberger Kuchen as a geological feature of the region
• Insight into the era of the Mecklenburg state diets in Sternberg
• Everyday life of the farmer-burghers and notable townspeople
• Museum courtyard with garden, stage, and annex

Permanent exhibition

• Dauerausstellung: 11 Themen in 11 Räumen – Eleven themed rooms on the Sternberger Kuchen, town history, the era of the Landtage, life of the farmer-burghers, and notable townspeople, with eyewitness accounts.

Operated by

Stadt Sternberg

Admission & discounts

With a spa card (Kurkarte), adults pay €4.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum describes itself as largely barrier-free: the exhibition and the other rooms are on the ground floor, and there is an accessible toilet.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

For children and families, a puzzle trail is available on request as an additional activity alongside the exhibition.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Mühlenstraße behind the town church, near the market square, with a view of the Mühlentor (mill gate) and Lake Sternberger See.

Amenities & dining

In the warmer months, various flavours of ice cream (homemade ice cream from the Eispavillon in Bützow) are available, which can be enjoyed in the inner courtyard. Further food and drink options can be found in the immediate surroundings.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The premises can be hired in accordance with the Benutzungs- und Gebührenverordnung (user and fee regulations) for the Heimatmuseum.

Plan your visit